Bradford Executive adjourns till Tuesday

Friday Feb 18:
Today's meeting of Bradford Council Executive was adjourned until next Tuesday, February 22, 10.30am to consider a motion:

That the Executive makes recommendations to the meeting of Council on 24 February 2011 on the consequent revenue budget requirement and council tax level for 2011-12, an indicative budget for 2012/13, borrowing limits and prudential indicators.

Although three Party leaders addressed the issues in general terms, the actual budget document was not distributed until the end of the meeting. A cursory reading reveals the following recommendations which will prompt concern and, hopefully, concerted opposition.

• ADULT SERVICES:Remove subsidy from hot meals provision SAVING £500,000
  Close Whetley Hill
  Close all care homes by 2014 SAVING £600,00 in current year
  Review services for clients with mental health and learning disabilities SAVING £500
  Externalise (ie privatise) learning disabilities day care SAVING £300,000
  Reduce voluntary sector grants by 8.8% SAVING £652,000
• CHILDREN'S SERVICES:
  Reduce extended schools service SAVING £100,000
  Reduce healthy schools service SAVING £100,000
  Relocate family centre service provision from Albion to Parklands as part of "rationalisation" SAVING £700,000
  Cease learning enrichment project SAVING £250,000
  Looked After Children - reduce spend on external placements SAVING £1 MILLION
  Review support to outdoor centres SAVING £10,000
• TRANSPORTATION & HIGHWAYS
  Increase long-stay parking charges from £3.50 to £4 per day REVENUE £50,000 EXTRA
  Introduce on-street parking charges in Shipley, Ilkley, Keighley and Bingley REVENUE £113,000 EXTRA
• LIBRARIES:
  Close Addingham, Denholme, Heaton, Wilsden and Wrose libraries SAVING £70,000
  Removal of 2nd branch delivery van SAVING £20,000
  Close one public floor at Central Library and merge Information, Learning Zone and City Centre departments SAVING £50,000
  Introduce premium rate service charge of £25 per annum and introduce a £1 charge for requests for stock items REVENUE £25,000 EXTRA
• PUBLIC HALLS:
  Close or transfer Holden Hall, Oakworth SAVING £8,000
• LEISURE SERVICES:
  Review swimming pool provision at Greenhead and Rhodesway SAVING £144,000Close Manningham pool SAVING £119,000Reduce opening hours at Manningham Sports Centre SAVING £40,000Increase playing pitch charges REVENUE £5,000 EXTRA"Rationalise" (?) nursery operations SAVING £10,000"Rationalise" subsidy/lease arrangements at Horsfall Stadium, Park Avenue cricket ground, Little Horton Green cricket ground, and Apperley Bridge SAVING £10,00
  TOTAL ENVIRONMENT & SPORT SAVINGS £3.635 MILLION.

I was informed at the meeting that the full budget would be available online, but at the time of writing it is not yet available. Judging by past experience, these cuts will probably be rubber-stamped next Tuesday. The big fight will be at the full council on Feb 24.

BE THERE!